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Home » U.S. Marines, Femco, Community Action prepare for big Toys for Tots effort

U.S. Marines, Femco, Community Action prepare for big Toys for Tots effort

PUNXSUTAWNEY — A room at Femco Machine Inc. is almost chock-full of toys for the annual Toys for Tots campaign, and if the company and the U.S. Marine Corps has their way, more rooms in the plant will be overflowing in coming weeks.

Monday, at Femco Machine Inc., Route 536, Young Township; Sgt. Jerry Huffman and Sgt. Shawn Kyler, representing the U.S. Marine Corps from Ebensburg; and Janeen Love of Community Action Inc. officially kicked off this area’s Toys for Tots campaign.

According to Community Action Inc., “A new toy for a needy child sends the message someone cares, and they have not been forgotten.”

Thom Pratt, marketing associate for Femco Machine Inc., said the company has taken a huge leap into the Toys for Tots program this year through its new CEO/President Dan Rondeau, whom Pratt described as having “a soft spot” for Toys for Tots.

While those who wish to contribute a toy are welcome to do so via many of the distribution boxes throughout Jefferson County, this year, Femco Machine Inc. asks the community to bring toys to this year’s Home for the Holidays parade, for which the company is a Gold sponsor.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, downtown.

Femco Machine Inc.’s service truck will actually serve as Santa Claus’ transportation into Punxsy this year, with Femco employees walking alongside the truck to collect toys from those lining the streets.

“If we could have just a faction of the population bring a $5 toy to the parade, it would be a huge collection,” Pratt said.

Also, there will likely be a designated drop-off location somewhere near the end of the parade route, he said.

WHERE TO DONATE:
Drop-off sites for those who would like to donate toys to this year’s Toys for Tots campaign are at the following locations in Jefferson County: